On 15 July Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue held a regular press conference.

Q: Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Joschka Fisher is visiting Beijing now. He expressed his hope that China supports Germany's bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council during his talks with Foreign Minister Li. What is your attitude? What is your comment on lifting the EU arms embargo?

A: After 60 years of development, it is necessary for the United Nations to have further reforms and the UN Security Council to properly expand.  All of the UN members are now holding broad discussions and consultations on it. We support the the panel of important leaders set up by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to propose report on UN reform. Germany plays an important role in Europe and the world at large. We hope to see a bigger role by Germany in the international arena.

On the European Union's arms embargo on China, it is a product of the Cold War. It is obsolete and detrimental to closer bilateral relations between China and the EU. It is fair to say that it is an obstacle to the growth of comprehensive relations between China and the EU.  We hope the EU members to have serious study on the issue and lift the embargo at an early date so as to facilitate the smooth development of the Sino-EU comprehensive and strategic partnership.

Q: The new government of Cambodia was established on 15 July with the election of Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh as President of the National Assembly and the approval through vote of the new Cabinet with Samdech Hun Sen as new Prime Minister. What is your comment?

A: As a close and friendly neighbor, China congratulates Cambodia on the establishment of the new government and the National Assembly. China hopes that, under the leadership of King Norodom Sihanouk, the various parties in Cambodia can strengthen national unity, safeguard social stability, develop national economy and improve people's livelihood. We also hope to see further development of the friendly relations between China and Cambodia.

Q: First question, who meet with him, what are the main agenda and what agreements have been signed during Fisher's visit to China?  Second question, can you confirm that a ROK man named Kim who had helped DPRK citizens coming into China illegally was released?

A: Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Joschka Fisher visits China at the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. Though it is his second trip to China in three years' time, it is his third meeting with Foreign Minister Li this year. This shows that Sino-German relations are close and developing smoothly. This morning Foreign Minister Li held talks with his German counterpart and jointly met with the press afterwards. Premier Wen Jiabao will meet with him this afternoon.

In today's talks, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest including the Korean nuclear question, the question of Iraq and the question of Sudan. According to my knowledge, the two sides have no plan of signing any document or agreement. Apart from Beijing, he is scheldued to visit Jinan, Shandong, to cut ribbons for a new solar energy factory of Linuo Paradigma, a Sino-German joint-venure. It is said that the factory has the largest designed capacity in this field in the world.  It is another specific example of Sino-German cooperation. The visit will promote the friendly cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

On your second question, I have no idea. 

Q: It is said that the China's military will conduct large-scaled military exercises near DongshanDao Island in Fujian. Can you confirm?

A: Please refer the question to the Foreign Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Defense.

Q: It is said that a Sino-US symposium on arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation will be held recently. Please introduce the time, participants of the symposium and what agreements will be signed?

A: The fifth Sino-US symposium on arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation will be held in Beijing from July 20 to 21. Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui also attend the opening ceremony and deliver a speech. Acting Assistant Secretary Susan Burk of the US State Department and over 50 scholars, experts and government officials from China and the United States will attend the conference.

Major topics of the conference include the construction of Sino-US strategic security framework, challenges facing the international nonproliferation system and strategies to deal with them, Sino-US cooperation on nonproliferation and the development of international non-proliferation.

No document will be issued or adopted at the end since it is a symposium.

Q: Under Secretary for State Bolton will visit China. Please introduce. Will the working group's meeting of the Six-Party Talks be held before the end of this month?

A: China and the US has the mechanism of regular consultation on strategic security, multilateral arms control and non-proliferation and the two sides are discussing the time and topics of the next round of consultation. No decision has been made yet.

As to the next meeting of the working group's meeting of the Six-Party Talks, China is holding contact and consultations with relevant parties. The specific time of the meeting has not been finalized yet.

Q: Have you been informed now that it has been two weeks since the North Korean man broke into the German school? How to deal with it?

A: We have been informed about the question. We have kept contact with the German embassy in China. The two sides are cooperating with each other in order to solve it properly.

Q: Do you think that the war against terrorism has achieved its goal?  Do you think it should continue? If so, do you think there should be new targets and priority?

A: China's position is very clear. First, China is resolutely opposed to terrorism of any kind. Second, we hope that all countries should conduct effective cooperation on this. China and some countries including Pakistan have held consultation on counter-terrorism, which is conducive to the joint fight against terrorism. Apart from bilateral consultation and cooperation mechanism, China is also willing to fight terrorism through regional and multilateral organizations.  Third, in fighting against terrorism, we should adopt a comprehensive approach, solving the root cause as well. While fighting international terrorist activities, we should also solve the questions that the world is facing, including questions arising during economic development. China maintains that we cannot effectively safeguard world peace, stability and development without comprehensively handling and solving the questions that the world is facing.

In conclusion, let me remind you once again that the routine Foreign Ministry press conferences will be suspended from today. The next one will be held on 2 September. During the summer break, you can reach us through the telephone and fax of the Spokesperson's Office. The International Press Center will be open as usual.